president obama and mitt romney will hold their first debate. alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. bureau to tell us why president obama will be speaking first. alley -- alison? >> reporter: there will be no time for rigid answers or cheering from the crowd. the rules are set for president obama to answer the first question and for mitt romney is get -- to get the last word. both candidates took a break from their intense -- intense prep yesterday. analysts say in the end, debates seem to be more about entertainment and few have ever made a really big difference. >> most of us we know who have already made up our minds will be cheering for one candidate or another. history says the debates are probably not defining in any particular way. >> here is a look at the stage. michelle obama admits she's very nervous. >> i'm like one of those parents watching their kid on the balance -- balance beam. you are just starting there trying not to have any expression at all. >> reporter: tonight's debate is focused on domestic policy and expected -- a